I make Outlook 2000 use a Outlook.pst file on a separate hard disk instead
of the usual C:\Documents & Settings\ folder.

Everything is fine. I also TICK "Leave copy of message on server" so I
always have a backup copy.

Now when i format my PC and reinstall Windows & Outlook, I point to my
D:\Outlook.pst and it starts using it. Then all of a sudden it starts
downloading ALL my emails again. If I format my PC once again and reinstall
Windows & Outlook, then Outlook starts downloading ALL my emails TWICE
(there's 2 copies of each email downloaded, plus the copy I already got
locally, that makes 3 copies!!!).

Is there any way to make Outlook 2000 intelligent and it knows NOT to
download emails if I got them already? I really don't want to untick the
"Leave message on server" just incase I lost the PST file.